Device for operating a switch for rail points

ABSTRACT

A device for operating a switch of a railway track including switch blades. The device includes a drive module, a linear operating module coupled to and driven by the drive module for generating a linear movement and at least one locking module interconnected between the linear operating module and the switch blades. The locking module transfers the linear movement from the linear operating module to the switch blades, thereby moving the switch blades across a longitudinal direction of the railway track from a first position to a second position. The at least one locking module also locks the switch blades in the first position or the second position independently of the linear operating module. A girder box forms a sleeper of the railway track for housing the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module. The device also includes apparatus for joining the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module. The joining apparatus permits independent replacement of the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module. The drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module are separate units.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for operating and securing theswitch blades in a switch of a railway track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When operating a switch of a railway track, a switch operating mechanismis required to move two, usually interconnected, switch blades from afirst end position, to a second end position. In the first end position,one switch blade makes contact with the inside of one of the rails of arailway track. In the second end position, the other switch blade makescontact with the inside of the other rail of a railway track. The priorart usually discloses a switch operating mechanism that is located onone side of the track. From this mechanism, the switch blades areinfluenced in an indirect manner with the aid of connecting rods thatpass under the nearest support rail in the railway track and under thenearest switch blade. The connecting rod is then connected to the link,which interconnects the two switch blades. Further, control rods areutilized for indication of switch blade positions. These rods and linksare exposed to the surroundings, which means that such equipment isrelatively unprotected against the effect of environmental factors suchas snow, ice and dirt. The equipment comprising rods and links isusually located between sleepers for supporting rails in a railway trackand, thus, constitutes an obstacle to mechanical track maintenance,since such equipment cannot withstand the stresses from such maintenancework.

Swedish patent application SE 396425 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No.4,093,163) discloses a proposal for solving the above-mentionedproblems. The cited document suggests a method for solving the problemsby arranging the switch operating mechanism in a box girder ofapproximately the same dimensions as those of an ordinary sleeper tosupport track rails. The box girder, with the switch operating mechanismhoused therein, can be arranged symmetrically in the pattern ofjuxtaposed, equidistantly spaced sleepers that serve as a base for therails of a railway track. At the same time, the box girder providesprotection against external environmental influence for all theequipment enclosed in the box girder. In this respect, the switchoperating mechanism constitutes no obstacle to the use of mechanicalequipment for track maintenance at switches with one or more switchmachines. However, the switch machine according to the cited documenthas never been commercially exploited, and this for several reasons,some of which will be described in the following.

Current demands for rapid transports have resulted in extensions andimprovements of railway tracks to permit higher speeds of vehicles onthese tracks. Today, speeds of between 200 and 300 km/h are not unusualfor high-speed trains. Increased speeds are aimed at for tramway andunderground vehicles.

The safety requirements have always been very stringent for railboundtraffic. One component in the railbound communication networks that isespecially sensitive to faults are the switches that of necessity, areincluded in all track systems. Switches that, for various reasons, areincorrectly set are responsible for a large proportion of the accidentsthat occur in railbound traffic. Modern switches must fulfill highsafety requirements. The solution to a switch described in the abovepublication does not fulfill these high requirements. One of the majorweaknesses is that the switch machine according to the above prior artdoes not lock the switch in the different switch blade positions fromthe safety point of view. No separated locking function exists. Inaddition, with the simple locking, which is vaguely mentioned in thecited publication, the operating mechanism of the switch machine itselfis subjected to the very great forces to which the locking can besubjected. Nor is there any possibility of detecting whether the switchis locked in one or the other end position. Another drawback is that theknown switch machine is not adapted to permit rail displacement, thatis, the phenomenon which results in extension or shortening of therails. Rail displacement, which entails mutual displacements between theswitch blades and the adjacent support rail in the switch, must beacceptable.

In addition, the known switch machine does not have the possibility ofadapting to different strokes for operating switch blades the desireddistances in the longitudinal direction of the switch machine, that is,across the track. This is a requirement if the same switch machine is tobe able to be used in switches for operation by high-speed vehicles.Such switches can be very long since a large curve radius is requiredfor the high-speed vehicles, whereby 5-6 switch machines in a row alongthe track may be required for operating one single switch, since theswitch blades can be very long. The strokes of the switch machineslocated along the switch may be capable of being adapted to therequirement of the respective switch blade for lateral displacement atthe respective location of the switch machines.

One further disadvantage with the known switch are the service problems.Since all equipment is housed in the above-mentioned box girder, theaccessibility is reduced since the box girder must be opened forreplacement of units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for operating at least oneswitch blade in a switch for rail points from a first position to asecond position in a movement across the longitudinal direction of thetrack. The device includes an operating mechanism and a locking functionthat secure the positions of the switch blades either to or from theirfirst or second end position. The device further includes a mechanismfor indicating/recording (checking) in which of the first or secondposition the switch blades are situated in the switch. At least thebasic functions operating mechanism and locking function are housed in abox girder designed in the form of a sleeper. The box girder is intendedto replace an ordinary sleeper for supporting the rail track whenplacing the switch operating device in a switch. The operating mechanismand the locking function comprise modules including, at least a motoroperating unit, a linear operating unit and at least one locking module.Each module constitutes separate units and each separately constitutesmodules that are accessible and replaceable from the outside of the boxgirder.

All of the above-mentioned mechanism and functions are housed andenclosed in one and the same box girder having substantially the samedimensions as a normal sleeper in the railway track. The advantage ofthis design is that no problems or obstacles whatsoever will ariseduring automatic track maintenance on a railway embankment for thetrack. A rational management of the track maintenance is obtained.

In the following, the device according to the invention is referred toby the comprehensive term switch machine.

Another advantage of the above-mentioned arrangement of the mechanismsof the device in a box girder is that all mechanical and associatedequipment is protected against external environmental influence in theform of snow, ice, dirt, or other obstacles.

A further important advantage of the construction of the device with theequipment built into a box girder is that the different units in thedevice are modularized, which means that the different functional unitsincluded in the switch machine such as motor operating unit, lockingmodule, among others, can be replaced relatively easily and rapidly forcorrective action or maintenance work. All the functional units can bereplaced without the rail-supporting sleeper in the form of a boxgirder, included in the switch machine, having to be upset in its trackinstallation. This means that the function of the sleeper steel box (boxgirder) as a supporter of the rail track is independent--from the pointof view of installation--of the functional units built into the switchmachine for operating the switch.

The device comprises a mechanical solution of the locking function forsecuring the positions of the switch blades in a failsafe manner in afirst or a second position. The locking function comprises two mutuallyindependent locking modules, each of which secures the specifiedpositions of the switch blades. Further, the invention comprises afunction sequence between the two locking modules that permits one ofthe locking modules to be operative. The other locking module functionsin a passive, or standby manner. In the event of a fault in theoperative locking module, the other locking module is immediatelymechanically activated. An additional advantage is that the lockingdevice influences the locking of the switch blade directly via a lid onthe box girder in which the locking device is enclosed and, in addition,has a satisfactorily enclosed design in the sleeper-replacing box girderwith respect to the external severe environmental conditions in thetrack.

Furthermore, the invention comprises the feature that the switchoperating mechanism has a design that permits adjustment of the stroke,that is, the lateral movement of the switch blade across the track atthe current point of engagement of the switch machine with the switchblade. The stroke can be changed in a reliable manner according to theneeds of the switch. This embodiment entails a considerable advantage inthat only one design of the switch machine covers all the needs ofstrokes existing on the market.

In addition, the invention comprises a detection function in the lockingmechanism that directly indicates and records the secure locking of theswitch blade between the active locking components in the lockingmechanism.

In addition to the above, the invention comprises a detection mechanismthat makes possible indication of the position of the switch blade inrelation to its support rail in the first and second positions,respectively. This detection mechanism is not influenced by raildisplacement, maintenance factors, or by environmental conditions asthose exemplified above.

The device further comprises a mechanism that achieves a static stallingthrust between the switch blade and the support rail when the switchblade is in its end position against the support rail. The advantage ofthis is that the point of the switch blade always makes contact with itssupport rail in spite of wear or bending of the support rail caused bypoor track maintenance.

The switch machine according to the invention is designed in a trailableas well as a non-trailable version. A non-trailable switch is a switchin which both switch blades are locked in their end positions. Atrailable switch, on the other hand, is a switch in which the endposition of a switch blade close to the support rail is locked, whereasthe end position of a switch blade away from the support rail is notlocked and can be trailed with a definite force, which affects theblade.

The concept switch blade, as used in the description, also includes themovable frog that exists in a switch. In modern switches it may also bedesirable also to operate the movable frog when operating the switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view, from above, of a modern switch, wherein a numberof switch machines for operating switch blades and a movable frog areinstalled.

FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of an embodiment of a switch machineaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section through the railway track and a sideview of the box girder that houses the mechanisms of the switch machineaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4b show the locking function with two locking modules according tothe present invention in a view across the switch machine.

FIG. 4a shows a side view of a locking module in a non-trailableembodiment in the longitudinal direction of the switch machine of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4c shows a side view of the locking module in a trailableembodiment in the longitudinal direction of the switch machine of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the locking module with detecting detectors indicatedtherein.

FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show the location of a detector means for detectingthe actual position of the switch blade, partly in a vertical sectionthrough such a detector means, partly in a plan view.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b are a side view and a plan view, respectively, fromabove of the equipment in the switch machine housed in its box girder.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of units for the switch machine accordingto the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

In a switch according to FIG. 1, sleepers 1 for supporting the rails 2and 3 of a railway track and the rails 4 and 5 associated with a branchtrack are illustrated. Switch machines 9a-9c are located along theswitch in a necessary number. In switches included in a track over whichhigh-speed travel, the length of the switch may be considerable. Forexample, as shown in the example in FIG. 1, six switch machines may berequired. At the very branch point 6 in the switch, there extend to theleft in the figure switch blades forming rails 7 and 8. These rails 7, 8are interconnected at the respective switching point (the position ofthe switch machine 9a-9c) and can be shifted to different end positionsconstituting the first and second position, respectively, of the switchblade at the switching point. One of the switch machines according toFIG. 1 consists of a blade point-type switch machine 9a, which serves asa master unit, whereas the other switch machines along the switch bladeserve as slave switch machines 9b. At the movable frog, a movablefrog-type switch machine 9c is located.

The switch machine is shown in its entirety in a view from above in FIG.2 and in a longitudinal view from the side in FIG. 3. A lid 11 over themotor operating unit is shown to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The operation of the movable units by means of the operating mechanismis illustrated in FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b. These figures show verticalsection along the box girder 10 and a partially sectioned plan view.These figures illustrate, from the righthand end of the box girder 10,the motor operating unit 12, a transmission shaft 13, a ball screw 14(which constitutes a linear operating unit), and a linear ball bearing15 in the center line at the bottom of the box girder 10.

Upon start-up, the motor of the operating unit 12 rotates in a clockwiseor counterclockwise direction, depending on which control has beengiven. A motor pinion 16 drives a gear ring on the slipping (orfriction) clutch 18 that, in turn, drives the transmission shaft 13. Thetransmission shaft 13 transmits the rotation via an elastic coupling 19to a ball screw 14, which causes a ball nut 21 into a linear motion inthe longitudinal direction of the switch machine. The ball nut 21 isguided in the linear ball bearing 15, which is mounted at the bottom ofthe box girder 10. On either side of the ball nut 21, two carrier pins22, 23 are mounted, each of which separately transmits the motion of theball nut 21 to a drive rod 24 associated with each locking module L1,L2. These locking modules L1, L2 and their locking function will bedescribed below.

For manual operation of the switch machine, a switching device isprovided that disengages the motor and connects the gear ring of thefriction clutch 18 to a hand-operated switch. Changeover to manualoperation is achieved by pressing down a lever 11a and turning it 90°around its axis. When the changeover has been carried out, a crank formanual operation of the switch machine is connected to a switch pin formanual operation of the transmission shaft 13. The switch pin isdisengaged while, at the same time, the lever 11a assumes the newposition. The motor and the sensors mounted in the switch machine areelectrically connected to an external central unit by way of twoseparate contacts 25, which are mounted in the end wall of the boxgirder 10.

The type of motor in the operating unit 12 can be chosen freely butconsists in the above described embodiment of a three-phase asynchronousmotor. The supply of the motor according to the example is controlledfrom an external control unit at the switch. The control unit receivescontinuous information about and evaluates the state of the sensors inthe entire switch operating system.

Since at the same switch a plurality of switch machines with varyingstrokes must cooperate synchronously when operating the switch, theindividual motors at the respective switch machine are supplied withdifferent voltages by frequency converter equipment that can control themotor to a speed of rotation adapted to the stroke of the respectiveswitch machine.

Because of the signals of the sensors to the control unit, the motors inthe individual switch machines can be controlled individually. Thismeans that the described motor control function permits:

synchronous running in an operating system for the entire switch, thatis, the same operating time for all the switch machines included,

a controlled and even current consumption,

the same torque during the whole operation cycle, and

speed control during the operation cycle.

The locking and the operation at a switch machine will be described inthe following with reference to FIGS 4a-c. As is clear from FIG. 4a, thedrive rod 24 in a locking module L2 is influenced by the carrier pin 22.Upon movement of the carrier pin 22 during a switch operation, the drivebar 24 is brought along in the same movement.

In case of an operation of the switch in which in FIG. 4a the switchblades 7, 8 are to be shifted from a first position shown in FIG. 4a toa second position where the switch blades 7, 8 have swung to the rightin FIG. 4a, the operation is started by moving the drive bar 24 about 50mm to the right. Up to this point t₁, the position of the switch blades7, 8 is secured in the first position by a lefthand lock catch 30. Thelefthand lock catch rests on the upper sliding surface 31 of the drivebar 24 and secures the lock catch 30 in a raised position in a firstlocking slot 32 at the end of a first locking shoulder 33b arranged in afirst locking block 33. The lefthand lock catch 30 thus prevents theassociated switch operating parts from being displaced to the right asshown in FIG. 4a, where the switch blades 7, 8 cannot be moved to theright. When the drive bar 24 at time t₂ permits the lefthand lock catch30 to fall down into the lefthand unlocking slot 34 of the drive bar 24,unlocking from the first position of the switch has taken place.

Upon continued movement to the right, as shown in FIG. 4a, the drive bar24 will, with the righthand lock catch 35 as carrier, via its shaftjournal 36, move the lower center block 37 to the right. The righthandlock catch 35 cannot be lifted from the righthand unlocking slot 38,since the uppermost surface of the lock catch slides under the lowersliding surface 39a of a second shoulder 39b, arranged in a secondlocking block 39. The upper center block 42 is urged to accompany thelower center block 37 in its movement to the right. When the uppercenter block 42 moves to the right, the switch blade connection rods 43,44 are influenced by the connections thereof to the upper center block42'. These connections are rotatable around the pins 45, 46. Theconnection rods 43, 44 move the switch blades 7, 8 to their new endpositions, that is, the second switch position for the respective switchblade.

When the switch blades 7, 8 at time t₃ have reached their secondpositions, the righthand lock catch 35 has at the same time arrived at asecond locking slot 40 in the second shoulder 39b, whereby the righthandlock catch 35 has been displaced upwardly in this second locking slotand starts sliding on the upper sliding surface 31 of the drive bar 24.This causes the righthand lock catch 35 to lose its carrier function forthe lower center block 37 and the other switch operating parts. At thesame time, the righthand lock catch 35, raised in the second lockingslot 40, secures this second switch position in that the righthand lockcatch 35 cannot be moved to the left as long as the upper slidingsurface 31 of the drive bar 24 supports the righthand lock catch in itsraised, locked position in the second locking slot 40. Consequently, theswitch is locked in the second switch position.

The locking is secured according to the above by the drive bar 24continuing its movement about 50 mm to the right, as shown in FIG. 4aafter time t₃.

FIG. 4a shows the locking mechanism in the longitudinal direction of thebox girder 10. FIG. 4b illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, twolocking modules L1 and L2 operating independently of, and parallel to,each other. By allowing one of the locking modules to act somewhat laterthan the other, one actively-operating and one passively-operatinglocking mechanism are obtained. The description also shows that thelocking mechanisms function independently of the operating mechanism.This means that external forces, which for some reason influence aswitch blade 7, 8 in the switch machine, are conveyed to the lockingmechanism and, hence, not supplied to the operating mechanism.

The locking modules (L1, L2) are designed in a non-trailable version, asshown in FIG. 4a. In a non-trailable version, a lower center block (37)via an upper center block (42), which transmits operation forces toswitch blade connection rods (43, 44) are each designed in one piece.Hence, the upper and lower center blocks influence both switch blade (7,8) simultaneously.

The locking modules L1 and L2 are also designed in a differentembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4c. In the non-trailable version, both thelower center block (37) and the upper center block (42) are designed intwo halves, lower center block halves (37a, 37b) and upper center blockhalves (42a, 42b). In the non-trailable version, the switch bladeconnection rods (43, 44) are influenced by the lower center block half(37a, 37b) and the upper center block half (42a, 42b) belonging to therespective connection rod (43, 44).

The adaptation of the stroke of the switch machine is achieved bydisplaceably mounting the lower center block 37 and the upper centerblock 42 connected thereto along a shaft 50, as shown in FIG. 5. Theshaft 50 in its turn is threaded with its lefthand end by means of alefthand thread into the first locking block 33. The shaft 50 also isthreaded with its righthand end by means of a righthand thread into thesecond locking block 39.

The first and second locking blocks 33 and 39, respectively, aredisplaceably screwed to a cover plate 51, secured to the box girder, bymeans of the screw joint 52. By loosening the joint 52, the lockingblocks 33 and 39, respectively, can be moved towards or away from eachother. This means that the distance between the above-described twolocking positions of the switch machine is changed, since the twolocking slots 32, 40 are moved closer to or further away from eachother. The two lock catches 30, 35 transmit the operation movement fromthe drive 24 to the lower center block 37 and the other switch operatingparts. As mentioned, the locking slots 32, 40 also have the function ofinterrupting this carrier movement. The stroke of the switch machine isthus changed when the locking slots 32 and 40 are moved closer to orfurther away from each other.

Rail displacement occurs in the switch, which means that a support rail2, 5 in the railway track can be displaced in the longitudinal directionin relation to an adjacent switch blade 7, 8, for example due tomovements caused by the linear expansion of the rails. For this reason,the switch blade connection rods 43, 44 are rotatably connected to thecenter block 42 and to the switch blade 7, 8, as shown in FIG. 2. Therotatable connection is designed such that the connection rods are ableto turn around pins 45, 46 in the center block 42 and around pins 53, 54at the switch blades 7, 8, respectively. A space free from obstacles forthe connections of the connection rods 43, 44 to the rails of the switchblades permits a relative displacement that, in the example, amounts to±40 mm in the longitudinal direction of the track between the switchblades 7, 8 and the respective support rails 2, 5 thereof, the latterbeing fixed to the box girder (10).

Means for detecting the locking function are clear from, among otherthings, FIGS. 4a-c and 5. FIGS. 4a-c show sensors 55, 56 that aremounted on the locking blocks 33, 39. Further, the drive bar 24 isprovided with two recesses 57, 58, that are placed such that theirrespective position in a locked first and a locked second position openan air gap in front of the respective sensor 55, 56 when the respectivesensor is to indicate an adopted locking position.

During its movement in all other positions of the switch blade, thedrive bar 24 covers the sensors 55, 56, whereby these indicate metal,that is, locking positions not reached. Since it is the locking blocksthat are moved towards or away from each other when setting the strokeof the switch machine, the locking position indication will alwaysassume the correct position for each conceivable setting of the stroke,without necessitating any readjustment whatsoever of the inductivesensors 55, 56 for locking position indication. This function isachieved by mounting the sensors 55, 56 at specified locations on thelocking blocks 33, 39 and by providing defined positions for therecesses 57, 58 on the drive bar 24.

To make the detection function thoroughly failsafe, the sensors 55, 56are provided with a self-test function that uninterruptedly tests theability of the sensor to detect. The type of sensor described can, ofcourse, be replaced by other types of sensors, for example, mechanicalones. The detection function described detects that the lock catches 30and 35, respectively, independently of the setting of the stroke, aresecured in the locking blocks 33 and 39, respectively, by sensing thatthe determined locking distance (50 mm) of the drive bar 24 has beenreached.

Means for detecting the position of a switch blade 7, 8 relative to thesupport rail 2, 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 6a and6b. These Figures show two detector units 60, 61 that are each mountedon a foot of the respective support rail 2, 5 and over the sleeper box10. These Figures show that the detection rod 62 arranged at thedetector unit 60, 61 is connected to the switch blade 7, 8 supervised bythe detector unit 60, 61.

The detector unit 60, 61 is connected. to the rail foot by means of twohooks 63, which can be tightened with nuts 64. The detection rod 62 isconnected to the switch blade 7, 8 via a connection piece 65. Theconnection piece 65 is secured to the switch blade 7, 8 by means of abolt 66 and a shackle 67. Further, the detection rod is provided with acarrier piece 68 that engages in a corresponding recess in theconnection piece 65. This means that the connection piece 65 and thecarrier piece 68 may slide mutually relative to each other in thelongitudinal direction of the track if the support rail 2, 5 and theswitch blade 7, 8 are displaced relative to each other due to raildisplacement.

When the switch blade 7 is in the position according to FIGS. 6a and 6b,that is, in an end position, this is indicated by a first sensor 69 insuch a way that the length of the detection rod 62 is so adapted thatits lefthand end influences the field of detection of the first sensor69 with its metal and causes the first sensor to indicate contactbetween the switch blade 7 and the support rail 2. If the detection rod62 is set in motion to the right according to FIGS. 6a and 6b, becauseof an operation of the switch or any other impermissible movement,wherein the detection rod 62 is caused by an oscillation of the switchblade 7 to move away from the support rail 2, then, after a definitemovement tolerance the first sensor 62 will indicate "non-contact" ofthe switch blade 7. During continued movement of the switch blade 7 andthe detection rod 62 to the right in FIG. 6, the switch blade will aftera certain time (t₃) assume position 2 (Pos 2) according to FIG. 6 (thesecond end position). The field of detection of a second sensor 70 has,up to time t₃, been under the influence of the metal of the detectionrod 62. However, at time t3, detection rod 62 has moved to the right asshown in FIG. 6a. Sensor 70 will now detect an absence of metal sincethe length of the detection rod 62 in relation to the second sensor 70is so adapted that the field of detection of the sensor no longer isinfluenced by the detection rod 62. Thus, sensor 70 indicates theposition of an open switch blade, that is, the second end position ofthe switch blade 7.

Also, the above first and second sensors 69 and 70, respectively, areequipped with a self-test function as described above and can, ofcourse, be replaced by other types of sensors.

The detection function described above detects in a direct and securemanner, independently of rail displacement and rail maintenance, the twoend positions of the switch blade 7, 8, that is, Pos 1 and Pos 2according to FIG. 6a.

An additional detection function of the position and locking of theswitch blade 7, 8 is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows two inductivesensors 80 and 81, respectively, mounted on the locking blocks 33 and39, respectively. According to FIG. 5, the lefthand lock catch 30 is inlocked position against the locking shoulder 33b. The sensor 80 isplaced so as to detect the engagement of the lefthand lock catch 30 withthe first locking slot 32 in the first shoulder 33b. In a correspondingmanner, the sensor 81 has been mounted in a position in the secondlocking block 39 such that the engagement of the righthand lock catch 35with the second locking slot 40 can be detected. According to theexample shown in FIG. 5, the righthand sensor in the figure, sensor 81,does not detect the presence of the righthand lock catch 35 in lockedposition. Since the lefthand lock catch 30 in locked position alsoprovides direct information that the switch blade 7, 8 is in its firstend position, this first end position of the switch blade canconsequently also be detected by the sensor 80. Before the switchoperation movement starts, the detection of the assumed first endposition of the switch blade 7, 8 by the sensor 80 will, thus, beinterrupted as soon as the lefthand lock catch 35 falls out of itslocked position in the first locking slot 32, after the drive bar 24 attime t₂ has moved the whole locking distance of the first lock catch 30.When the operation of the switch has been completed, the switch blade 7,8 will assume its second end position. The drive bar 24 presses therighthand lock catch 35 up into its locked position in the locking slot40. The sensor 81 detects the presence of the locked righthand lockcatch 35 and, hence, indirectly detects that the second end position ofthe switch blades 7, 8 is reached. The detection function now describedthus indirectly detects the position of the switch blade 7, 8 and at thesame time that the correlating lock catch 30, 35 in locked position.

We claim:
 1. A device for operating a switch of a railway track, saidswitch including switch blades, said device comprising:a drive module; alinear operating module coupled to and driven by said drive module forgenerating a linear movement; at least one locking module interconnectedbetween said linear operating module and the switch blades fortransferring said linear movement from said linear operating module tothe switch blades, thereby moving the switch blades across alongitudinal direction of the railway track from a first position to asecond position, said at least one locking module also locking theswitch blades in said first position or said second positionindependently of said linear operating module; a girder box forming asleeper of the railway track for housing said drive module, said linearoperating module, and said at least one locking module; and means forjoining said drive module, said linear operating module, and said atleast one locking module, said joining means permitting independentreplacement of said drive module, said linear operating module, and saidat least one locking module; said drive module, said linear operatingmodule, and said at least one locking module being separate units.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, comprising at least two locking modulesbeing operated in sequence with a time lag between operation of each,said locking modules individually locking the switch blades in saidfirst position or said second position.
 3. A device according to claim2, wherein one of said at least two locking modules automatically locksthe switch blades in said first position or said second position if theother of said at least two locking modules is not operational.
 4. Adevice according to claim 2, wherein said locking modules arenon-trailable and each comprise a one piece lower center block, a onepiece upper center block interconnected with said lower center block,and switch connection rods connected to said upper center block, saidlower center block transmitting switch operation forces via said uppercenter block to said switch connection rods, thereby moving the switchblades simultaneously.
 5. A device according to claim 2, wherein saidlocking modules are trailable and each comprise a two piece lower centerblock, a two piece upper center block interconnected with said lowercenter block, and switch connection rods connected to said upper centerblock, whereby said connection rods are moved by a lower center blockpiece and an upper center block piece interconnected with a respectiveconnection rod.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said at leastone locking module can be set for strokes of differing magnitudes of thelateral movement of the switch blade from said first to said secondposition.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said at least onelocking module further comprises locking blocks, wherein the magnitudeof the stroke of said at least one locking module is set by displacingsaid locking blocks nearer to or further away from each other.
 8. Adevice according to claim 4, wherein said switch blade connection rodsare rotatably connected to the switch blades and rotatably connected tosaid center block, said rotatable connections rendering the deviceindependent of rail displacement.
 9. A device according to claim 1,further comprising means for detecting whether the switch blades are insaid first position or said second position.
 10. A device according toclaim 6, further comprising:a drive bar interconnected with said linearoperating module and said locking module, said drive bar operatingindependently of a stroke for the switch blades; and means for detectingthat said drive bar has completed a determined operation and lockingdistance.
 11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said locking modulefurther comprises:a lock catch; a locking slot for engaging said lockcatch; and means for detecting that said lock catch is in engagementwith said locking slot, thereby indirectly indicating that the switchblades are locked in said first position or said second position.
 12. adevice according to claim 1, wherein said locking module furthercomprises a spring, wherein if the switch blades make contact with railsof the railway track, said locking module moves the switch blades with adetermined force against said spring package, thereby pressing theswitch blades against the rails with said spring force.
 13. A deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein said detecting means is provided as aseparately replaceable module.
 14. A device according to claim 1,wherein said drive module an electrically, hydraulically or manuallydriven motor.